ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund is a good cause, but Jack Knox still feels like that long-vanished friend who only reappears when he wants to borrow your truck.

The work of the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund is made possible because of the generosity of our readers, who have donated $643,898.49 since this year’s campaign started on Nov. 12.

The non-profit organization — which is supported by the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund — tries to break the cycle of violence.

All the money raised by the TC Christmas Fund flows to Vancouver Island charities that provide help for people who could, as was the case with Shirley Howard in the 1960s, benefit from the goodness of strangers.

With the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Christmas Fund at $503,466.93, this might be a good day to reflect on the goodness that is all around us.

Scott MacInnes, who studied under Tuba Christmas founder Eugene Dowling, takes the baton for Saturday afternoon’s performance at Market Square.

At the Salvation Army’s High Point Community Church Toy Library, children can choose from a collection of more than 1,000 items.

A busy team of volunteers still operates out of the basement of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, although now they’re doling out takeout food to the homeless, seniors and increasingly, the working poor.

Volunteer elves stuff Ziploc bags with toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorants, lotions and other items that many recipients can no longer afford to buy — and finish it off with a personal touch.